A strange new trend gripped Brussels on Thursday. Call it Macron-mania.

For his debut appearance in Brussels as French president, Emmanuel Macron unleashed a sort of feverish excitement not seen since Britain voted to leave the European Union or the darkest days of the Greek debt crisis.

Journalists tussled over a microphone to ask him questions. Statesman lobbied hard for a sit-down meeting, however short.

But this time the dominant emotion in Brussels was not fear or anxiety at some looming EU collapse. It was hope, at least for old Europe.

“Today the emphasis was on optimism,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, adding that the summit had focused on “critical developments” for the EU instead of crisis management.

On the up

Compared to countless EU summits plagued by Greece’s debt crisis, a migrant influx, Brexit and a populist surge that nearly brought the house down, the change in tone was striking.

For the first time in years, members of the EU establishment could rejoice. The leader of a major member state, fresh from winning a convincing majority in parliament, was in town broadcasting plans to revive the union and strengthen its foundations in partnership with Germany.

“I think Macron is a very clever man, at ease with other heads of state, heads of institutions,” said European Parliament President Antonio Tajani. “I think I’ve found a major counterpart on the most important matters — immigration, the fight against terrorism, industrial and trade policy.”

He added, for good measure: “I think he can play an important role in Europe.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May, in Brussels

As Macron himself pointed out at a packed press conference that — because the summit had gone so uncharacteristically smoothly — had started early, his devotion to the EU was neither new, nor unknown to French voters. “I campaigned on this idea,” he said, referring to his pro-EU agenda.

Now that he was president, Macron said he wanted to use his first EU Council summit to “define or redefine a Europe that protects”. This, he said, meant reforming the bloc to make populations feel more secure against terrorism, climate change, unfair wage competition and trade “dumping” from beyond EU borders.

As proof of his commitment, he pointed to plans to create an EU defense fund and a “permanent cooperation structure” for military joint procurement — ideas for which he repeatedly thanked European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in a rare nod from a national leader.

Asked whether he thought France or the European Union was more difficult to reform, Macron dodged. “There will be anger,” he said. “But I see that the French voted twice for this agenda of change. I think that Europe is also ready for this.”

It seemed that not even Brexit, the other theme of the day, could puncture Macron’s optimism. “It’s a good signal to open exchanges on that subject [citizens’ rights]”, he said.

An EU diplomat gave Macron’s first steps a thumbs up: “Macron is definitely showing up at a good time, as the only thing that matters in Brussels is will and determination.”

Trade trepidation

Behind the excitement, however, was trepidation among states worried that Macron’s vision will not work for them.

If Macron gets his way on trade, and the EU imposes tougher anti-dumping rules, won’t Sweden, the Netherlands and other free-trading nations stand to lose economically?

The president was ready with an answer. “I met with the Dutch prime minister, and he came to agreement with me on this idea of protection … because he also had to face populism in his country,” said Macron. “I am not for protectionism; I am for reasonable openness.”

Among central and Eastern European states, his plans for a “two-speed Europe” were also causing jitters, as leaders worry about becoming second-class members.

French President Emmanuel Macron at the EU Council headquarters | Leon Neal/Getty Images

Here again, Macron was ready with an anecdote: In a one-on-one meeting, Bulgaria’s president admitted to him that even his country had a problem with wage competition from foreigners illegally entering the country, Macron said.

The message: If they’re not on board the Macron train yet, they will be.

However, skepticism on his ability to bridge all divides still shone through on the summit’s sidelines.

“Does he want to show off to the media with his lack of goodwill toward central European countries, or does he want to speak frankly,” Beata Szydło Poland’s prime minister told local media. “I think it’s good to discuss facts, and not rely on some stereotypical insights.”

Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, lashed out at Macron for saying in an interview that some countries were treating the EU as a “supermarket”. “Criticizing the central European countries is not the best way to express friendship.”

Petr

Who gave Macron mandate to boss around the rest of the EU? He should focus on fixing France first.

Posted on 6/22/17 | 11:39 PM CEST

Pexit

How is the new super European man…like has said Alain Minc who is the “finder” of the new “elite super hero” and made the link with the Rothschild…”Macron is the best ho.ker that I’ve ever met”…He’s gonna to defend the European values (cheating, lying, stealing) very hard (Renault was not better that VW or BNP that Deutsche Bank…) …

Posted on 6/23/17 | 1:10 AM CEST

knokke

“I am not for protectionism; I am for reasonable openness.”

Posted on 6/23/17 | 2:30 AM CEST

gordon

not sure who Marcon thinks he is but he will soon find out that France even together with Germany cannot boss around Poland, Hungary and others. He seems to like to brag, he likes publicity and to be cheered by the (liberal) media

Posted on 6/23/17 | 8:39 AM CEST

Michal

Finally there is someone with the gutts to opelny speak the truth. If mrs Szydlo and mr Orban don’t like what they here they have only themselves to blame

Posted on 6/23/17 | 8:44 AM CEST

ab

Good joke !
Someone that is unable to clean the mess in its own country wants to instruct other countries how they should manage their internal affairs ?!?
It seems that neither Hungary nor Poland are excited about prospect of introducing and maintaining indefinitely state of emergency limiting basic citizen rights like France did.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 9:51 AM CEST

Chris

Great to see Macron being well-received in Brussels. I am very happy to see him giving due credit to the EU’s institutions, and giving others the confidence to also express their pro-European views. I don’t really understand the reticence for a two-speed Europe – the whole point is that if countries like Poland and Hungary don’t want to integrate any further, they should be allowed to remain as they are. Why should they be able to block others from greater harminisation?

Posted on 6/23/17 | 10:20 AM CEST

Chrish

At this rate a mega hype they will give him the Nobel Peace Prize like Obama who deserved it for planning to shut down Guantanamo and other Human rights triumphs. Oops its still open though.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 11:37 AM CEST

Johann M. Wolff

@Michal

“Finally there is someone with the gutts to opelny speak the truth.”

Oh Michal, I’m always skeptical when one thinks he possesses the “truth”.

@Chris

“Why should they be able to block others from greater harminisation?”

You will find out that not Eastern Europe is the obstacle to greater European integration.

1. Will Germans issue Eurobonds to guarantee other countries’ spending habits ?
Maybe they will do if they can oversee and command these countries internal policies like taxes, deficit, etc..

2. Will these countries agree to have Northern European states dictate their internal regulations: again taxation, deficit, etc..

3. Shouldn’t Macron first get his own house in order ? I already imagine the street protests in Farnce, cars on fire, etc.. when he tries to reform France’s strong social system.
The French are unsatisfied with their economic performance, they feel humiliated as the EU is centered around Germany, however they will never give up their benefits: 35 h working days, early retirement, more than generous welfare benefits, etc..

4. Please also note that Merkel is also in election campaign, the appearance of smooth relationship with macron is helpful, but she is unlikely to agree with Macron on anything which would undermine German interest, especially economic interest. Blaming CEE countries for the refugee mess also benefits her, I am sure Merkel is fully aware that no migrant would stay in Romania or Bulgaria, they will be in Germany within a week after redistributed there. Just as those migrants taken by Estonia and the Czech republic.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 11:45 AM CEST

dusty

Hail Macron the first president of all Europe, but to whom does he owe his glory

Posted on 6/23/17 | 11:51 AM CEST

pro Europe anti EU

France is runaway #1 when it comes to treating the EU as a supermarket. It wants subsidies for farmers and fiscal unity so it can borrow money and make Germany pay for it. But also it wants protections for itself that it seeks to deny CE Europe.

France has a massive case of post imperial syndrome and sees the EU as a tool to expand French influence even at the rest of EU countries expense.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 12:05 PM CEST

Jorkim

Eastern euros are some of the must but-hurt people on the planet. The crab-mentality is extreme as can be seen in these comment.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 12:08 PM CEST

stan

A country with an everlasting state of emergency not able to control parts of its own territory (Calais and numerous ‘cites’ to start with) willing to boss around in Europe… a good joke!

Posted on 6/23/17 | 1:22 PM CEST

That's right

Macron is a good sign for Europe. Not the holy saviour of course but the possibility of change and moving forward. The Eastern European countries (in specific Hungary and Poland) are brothers, of course, but they feel way more nationalistic than they should considering the vast amounts of money and economic opportunities they are given just to abide the Treaties they signed democratically… but do they abide? Are they still democratic with far right populists in power wanting to shut down universities? Diminishing the judiciary power? (1 of the 3 powers in any modern democracy)
So, the visegrad group should think it over. In my opinion, with a common EU army financed by all MS, Eastern countries could spend more on social and economic development, lowering the gap with the Eurozone, and finally joining it.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 2:29 PM CEST

Robert

Mr Macron is more follower than a leader. He likes key-words and general expressions,

“I think Macron is a very clever man, at ease with other heads of state, heads of institutions,” Exactly – a perfect team-player.

Posted on 6/23/17 | 4:07 PM CEST

Slasher

This man and this stuff is just pure media HYPE! Don’t get taken in by it.